Always Sad To See Players Leave

30 June 2014

James Collins says youngsters perhaps needed a fresh challenge

James Collins admits that it will certainly feel weird not to see like of AJ Leitch-Smith, Byron Moore and Kelvin Mellor in the dressing room this coming season. The club’s first team coach has known the youngsters over many years due to his long association with the Academy but he admits that perhaps they needed a fresh challenge.

Defender Kelvin Mellor signed for Plymouth Argyle following his release from Crewe and forward Leitch-Smith agreed a switch to Yeovil Town on Friday afternoon.

James told crewealex.net: “It is always a strange feeling when the end of the season comes. One minute we were fighting to stay in the division and the next you are having to let some of the go. That is football though and a tough part of the job.

“All those lads that were released have been great servants to the club and helped us achieve promotion and win the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

“I have known AJ and Byron for a number of years, AJ especially, and Kelvin came in from Nantwich at a relatively early age as well. I have worked with them in the Academy and in AJ’s case seen him come all the way through from about the age of 7.

“It will be strange not to see them around and it is always sad to see players leave but sometimes they need a fresh challenge and the opportunity to play more often.”